Not in the lobby

An engineer from Burlingame, California, has been told by the City of San Diego’s Ethics Commission that he doesn’t have to register as a lobbyist if he provides only “technical data” to city officials. “If your communications with City Officials are limited to technical statements based upon your expertise as an airport engineer, you will not be required to register as a Lobbying Firm with the City. Note, however, that if your paid communications with City Officials extend beyond the scope of the ‘technical data or analysis’ exemption, and are not otherwise exempt under the Ordinance, you will be required to register with the City Clerk as a ‘Lobbying Firm.’ ” Robert Wadell of Wadell Engineering Corporation had asked commission staffers to advise him regarding his work on behalf of developer Richard Sax’s efforts to build new aviation-related facilities at City-owned Brown Field.